part of the ceremony…
Leopards break into the temple and drink the sacrificial chalice dry; this occurs repeatedly, again and again: finally it can be reckoned on beforehand and becomes part of the ceremony.
– Franz Kafka, The Great Wall of China
You cast into the sea of parents until
you caught my eyes, then the corners
of your mouth reeled in a grin at ease.
Sure the other kids sang well but your
one-line solo in I’m Dreaming of a White
Christmas was both fierce and brilliant,
you were a leopard breaking into that
grade school temple intent on drinking
the chalice dry and by god you did. But
I reckoned you would because this has
happened repeatedly, again and again
for nine winters now you have held my
gaze, shattering my notions of love. You
are now a part the ceremony, without
you my worship would thrash and die.
– on the occasion of my daughter’s Christmas recital, Dec. 2011
Beautiful. Beautiful. Wondrous!
Thanks, Mark…hope you and Linda are lovely.
“for nine winters now you have held my
gaze”
oh, I did like this 🙂
Thank you, Laura…
Again and again, I ache under the weight of the glory of your words. For my heart’s sake– thank you brother.
Sallie, you are welcome…great to hear from you!
In a world of ill-fated earthly fathers thrashing around like bulls in china shops, your daughter will be able to embrace the passionate love of her heavenly Father more easily… because of you and your words.